Da Lat City, Vietnam | February 26 – March 2, 2025

DA LAT, Mar 2 – The ICT Virtual Organization of ASEAN Institutes and NICT (ASEAN IVO) successfully held its final meeting for the Agricultural IoT Based on Edge Computing project in Da Lat City, Vietnam. This important event brought together experts, researchers, and industry representatives from across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to discuss key technological advancements, project findings, and the future of smart agriculture in the region.

Given the increasing challenges related to food security, resource management, and climate change, integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing in agriculture has become a vital step toward achieving sustainable and precision farming. The meeting included comprehensive discussions, technical presentations, and on-site demonstrations at Da Lat farms, where participants observed the deployment of IoT solutions in real agricultural environments. One of the key highlights was the involvement of Mimosatek, an agritech company specializing in smart farming technologies, which shared insights into the commercial applications and scalability of the project’s innovations. Industry leaders and researchers explored how IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered systems can be utilized for large-scale implementation, making precision agriculture more accessible to local farmers.

Malaysia’s Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) played a significant role in enhancing agricultural automation through key research and technological developments. Ts. Dr. Norulhusna Ahmad, representing UTM, presented her research on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-assisted plant health monitoring. She showcased how drones equipped with real-time deep learning models can help detect early signs of diseases in crops. This innovative approach enables farmers to take timely action, reducing crop losses and optimizing yield quality.

Ir. Dr. Hazilah Mad Kaidi, also from UTM, introduced the Smart Fertigation IoT System. This groundbreaking solution automates the distribution of crop nutrients and water through real-time soil analysis and sensor-based decision-making. The system ensures that plants receive the optimal amounts of nutrients and water, reducing waste and improving sustainability.

The meeting also addressed challenges related to cybersecurity in IoT-based farming. As IoT devices become increasingly integrated into agricultural infrastructure, concerns about data security and privacy have grown. Research teams from ASEAN member countries shared their findings on service function chaining (SFC) security risks in edge computing environments and proposed strategies for mitigating potential cyber threats. Additionally, other research topics included visual-inertial positioning for precision agriculture drones, which enhances the accuracy of UAV-based monitoring, and integrating microclimate data into greenhouse farming systems to improve yield predictions and environmental control.

The impact of the ASEAN IVO project has been far-reaching, significantly advancing the adoption of agricultural IoT solutions across ASEAN nations. The introduction of IoT-enabled real-time monitoring and automated fertigation systems has increased farming efficiency by optimizing resource usage and improving crop health. The project has demonstrated how edge computing can process vast amounts of agricultural data on-site, reducing latency and enabling real-time decision-making for farmers. Furthermore, the initiative has strengthened collaboration between research institutions and agrotech companies, bridging the gap between academic research and commercial applications.

The Agricultural IoT project based on Edge Computing directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on food security, climate action, and sustainable agriculture. By implementing smart fertigation, AI-driven disease monitoring, and real-time sensor-based analysis, the project contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring efficient food production.

The project aligns with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by promoting responsible water management in agriculture through precision farming, which optimizes water and nutrient usage. Additionally, the integration of IoT and AI in farming helps reduce environmental impact and enhances climate resilience, supporting SDG 13 (Climate Action). The project’s commitment to technological advancements, knowledge sharing, and research collaboration among ASEAN nations strengthens SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), fostering cross-border innovation in sustainable agriculture.

Looking ahead, project partners—including UTM Malaysia, Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) in Vietnam, the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) in Japan, and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) in Thailand—are dedicated to expanding research and development in agricultural IoT and edge computing. Future research will focus on developing AI-driven pest and disease prediction models, allowing for early intervention through automated detection systems. Additionally, the integration of blockchain technology is being explored to improve traceability in the agricultural supply chain, ensuring transparency and trust in food production. Efforts are also underway to develop more energy-efficient IoT networks, particularly for off-grid farming communities that rely on solar power and remote connectivity.

As the ASEAN IVO initiative comes to a close, the results of this project are anticipated to serve as a foundation for future advancements in precision farming and sustainable agriculture. By utilizing emerging technologies, ASEAN nations are making significant progress in tackling global food security challenges while promoting environmentally friendly farming practices. The insights gained from this initiative and the collaborative efforts will continue to drive innovation, establishing smart agriculture as a key component of the region’s agricultural development strategy.

Published by Ir Dr Hazilah Mad Kaidi

Source: UTM NewsHub